Worcester Warriors 27 Munster A 23
British & Irish Cup
Geoff Berkeley reports from Sixways
A LAST-gasp try to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat is not something which the Sixways faithful are unfamiliar to seeing.
On numerous occasions they have watched on in horror as their side has somehow contrived to throw away a winning position in the dying seconds.
But for the first time in what seems an eternity, it was Worcester’s supporters, coaches and players who were in ecstasy after a thrilling finale.
Warriors could have claimed a worthy draw against Munster A as Tiff Eden had a kickable penalty with a minute remaining.
But instead, the in-form hosts opted for a lineout and got their reward as Sam Betty was driven over to edge a dramatic British & Cup clash.
Head coach Carl Hogg said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the players. I thought they showed a huge amount of bravery and courage throughout and that was epitomised by that last call to go in the corner and drive them over.
“There was a lot of times last year where we lost when we seemed to be in control of the last five or ten minutes. But credit to this group of players as they are finding ways to win.”
Warriors’ topsy-turvy performance was summed up in the opening few minutes as Eden missed a sitter of a penalty before producing a moment of magic.
In a fine attacking move, the promising fly half offloaded the ball out of the back of his hand to hooker Ben Sowrey who simply touched down for Worcester’s first try. Eden then held his nerve to kick his side into a 7-0 lead.
While Warriors were full of youthful exuberance as they went on the offensive, their more experienced opponents were too street-wise to simply get blown away.
And they soon levelled the tie when Niall Kenneally gathered Cathal Sheridan’s pass and burst through to score. Rory Scannell converted.
Eden had the chance to nudge Worcester in front, but nerves once again appeared to be getting the better of him as he struck wide.
For all their slick handling and pace in attack, it was their forwards who paved the way for their next try as Betty was dragged over the line after a driving lineout. Eden added the extras.
Munster went ahead for the first time in the match when Paddy Butler’s try was followed by a penalty from Scannell.
But with the last kick of the half, Warriors finished the half in front as Eden landed a penalty to give the home side a 17-15 lead.
Eden added another three points from the tee after the interval, but their inability to increase their tally further while Adam Cotter was in the sin-bin looked like it may come back to haunt them.
Back to full strength, Munster soon found the equaliser as Greg O’Shea scampered over in the corner. Scannell missed the conversion and a penalty as the match remained finely poised at 20-20.
With five minutes left, the visitors appeared to have won it when Scannell was successful from the tee after Eden failed to hit the target.
Warriors also went down to 14 men as Val Rapava Ruskin was yellow carded. But this was still not enough to deter Dean Ryan’s men as they drove over at the death.